Fiscal Year 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Access & Mobility Partnership Grants, 46534-46540 [2018-19897]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 178 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46534-46540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19897]



[[Page 46534]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Fiscal Year 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Access & 
Mobility Partnership Grants

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces with this 
notice the Access & Mobility Partnership Grants, which are two 
opportunities to apply for funding under two competitive grant 
programs. First, FTA makes available $3,903,715 in funding for the 
Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program (ICAM Pilot 
Program; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number: 20.513). 
As required by Federal transit law, funds will be awarded competitively 
to finance innovative capital projects for the transportation 
disadvantaged that will improve the coordination of transportation 
services and non-emergency medical transportation services.
    Second, FTA makes available $2,434,767 in funding for a Human 
Services Coordination Research (HSCR) Program with funds available 
under the Public Transportation Innovation Program (Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number: 20.514). Research activities awarded 
under this competitive program will support the implementation of 
innovative strategies in the coordination of human services 
transportation to provide more effective and efficient public 
transportation services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and 
low-income individuals. Proposed research projects should address gaps 
identified in the locally developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human 
Services Transportation Plan. The HSCR funds will finance operating and 
capital project expenditures to develop and deploy projects that 
improve transportation services for targeted populations as noted above 
through methods that effectively and efficiently coordinate human 
services transportation.
    The Access and Mobility Partnership Grants are two separate and 
distinct funding opportunities that seek to improve access to public 
transportation through building partnerships among health, 
transportation, and other service providers.

DATES: Applicants must submit completed proposals for each funding 
opportunity through the GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight Time November 13, 2018. Prospective applicants should 
register as soon as possible on the GRANTS.GOV website to ensure they 
can complete the application process before the submission deadline. 
Application instructions are available on FTA's website at https://transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. 
The GRANTS.GOV funding opportunity ID for the ICAM Pilot Program is 
FTA-2018-002-ICAM. The GRANTS.GOV funding opportunity ID for the HSCR 
Program is FTA-2018-006-HSCR. The FTA will not accept mail and fax 
submissions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Tyler, FTA Office of Program 
Management; Phone: (202) 366-3102; Email: [email protected]; Fax: 
(202) 366-3475.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

A. Program Description

    The Access and Mobility Partnership Grants are two separate and 
distinct funding opportunities that seek to improve access to public 
transportation through building partnerships among health, 
transportation, and other service providers. Further, these funding 
opportunities seek to fund projects that enhance mobility options 
through increased coordination efforts.

1. Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program

    Section 3006(b) of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation 
(FAST) Act (Pub. L. 114-94, Dec. 4, 2015) authorizes FTA to award 
grants for innovative coordinated access and mobility projects for the 
transportation disadvantaged population that improve the coordination 
of transportation services and non-emergency medical transportation 
services. The goals of the ICAM Pilot Program are to: (1) Increase 
access to care; (2) improve health outcomes; and (3) reduce healthcare 
costs.
    Throughout the country, communities are experimenting with ways to 
overcome barriers to these essential services by leveraging 
partnerships across transportation, health, and wellness providers. The 
ICAM Pilot Program grants will support capital projects that address 
the challenges the transportation disadvantaged face when accessing 
healthcare, such as: Getting to the doctor or returning home from a 
hospital procedure, or going to rehabilitation, behavioral health 
services, the pharmacy, or free health screening services.
    Through the ICAM Pilot Program, FTA will fund projects that enhance 
access to healthcare by utilizing mobility management, health and 
transportation provider partnerships, technology, or other actions that 
drive change. The ICAM grants will operate as pilots for up to eighteen 
(18) months. Within the first year, projects must be able to 
demonstrate impacts related to the goals of ICAM.
    To support the goals of the ICAM Pilot Program, recipients will:
     Develop replicable, innovative, and sustainable solutions 
to healthcare access challenges;
     foster local partnerships between health, transportation, 
home and community-based services, and other sectors to collaboratively 
develop and support solutions that increase healthcare access; and
     demonstrate how transportation solutions improve access to 
healthcare and health outcomes and reduce costs to the healthcare and 
transportation sectors.
    Successful projects will work collaboratively and leverage 
partnerships among Federal agencies of the Coordinating Council on 
Access and Mobility (CCAM), including the Department of Health and 
Human Services' operating divisions such as the Administration for 
Community Living, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and 
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Partnerships that cross 
health and transportation sectors facilitate better health for 
communities by increasing access to health/wellness services.
    The FTA will award grants to applicants who are ready to implement 
public transportation healthcare access solutions and who will build 
upon previous planning activities and private or federally funded 
research activities.

2. Human Services Coordination Research Program

    The HSCR program is funded through the Public Transportation 
Innovation Program, 49 U.S.C. 5312(b), and will build upon identified 
gaps in services or planning activities for the improvement of 
services, as outlined in a locally developed Coordinated Public 
Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan. Proposals should identify 
innovative

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solutions to provide more effective and efficient public transportation 
services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income 
individuals, utilizing coordination methods and concepts such as 
mobility management improvements, travel management systems, and 
operating efficiencies. The FTA will award capital or operating 
assistance to implement a coordinated public transportation project 
that offers innovative solutions to improve local coordination or 
access to coordinated transportation services. Additionally, this 
program seeks to support transit agencies, human service agencies, and 
local communities as they:
     Integrate new mobility tools like smart phone apps, 
demand-responsive bus and van services;
     aim to improve multi-modal connectivity for seniors, 
people with disabilities, and low-income individuals;
     address accessibility issues through innovative 
technologies and practices;
     improve the quality of the traveler experience and the 
transit product; and
     identify new mobility-enhancing practices and 
technologies.
    The HSCR program is an opportunity for communities to put into 
practice innovative ideas, practices, and approaches to address the 
overall coordination goals of the CCAM at the local level. The HSCR 
grant awardees will have up to eighteen (18) months from the time of 
the award to complete the project. Within the first year, projects must 
be able to demonstrate impacts related to the expected outcome as 
described in the Coordinated Public Transit Human Services 
Transportation Plan.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program

    Section 3006(b) of the FAST Act authorizes $3,250,000 in FY 2018 
for grants under the ICAM Pilot Program. The $3,903,715 of funds that 
FTA is making available includes the FY 2018 appropriated amount of 
$3,250,000, combined with $187,822 in FY 2016 funds and $465,893 in FY 
2017 funds that remain available.

2. Human Services Coordination Research Program

    In FY 2018, FTA makes available $2,434,767 under the Public 
Transportation Innovation Program, 49 U.S.C. 5312(b), to finance 
capital and/or operating projects that develop and deploy an 
enhancement or improvement to the coordination of human services 
transportation. The total amount of funds available includes $2,148,053 
in remaining balances from FY 2015 and $286,714 from FY 2016.
    For both funding opportunities, ICAM and HSCR, the FTA will grant 
pre-award authority starting on the date of project award announcements 
for the awards. Funds are available only for projects that have not 
incurred costs prior to the announcement of project selections. The FTA 
may supplement the total currently available with future 
appropriations.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program

i. Eligible Applicants
    Eligible applicants for awards are recipients and subrecipients of 
the Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities 
Program, which are defined under 49 U.S.C. 5310: designated recipients, 
States and local governmental authorities, private nonprofit 
organizations, and operators of public transportation. Proposals may 
contain projects to be implemented by the recipient or its 
subrecipients. Eligible subrecipients include public agencies, private 
nonprofit organizations, and private providers engaged in public 
transportation. If a single project proposal involves multiple public 
transportation providers, such as an agency that acquires vehicles that 
another agency will operate, the proposal must include a detailed 
statement regarding the role of each public transportation provider in 
the implementation of the project.
    Applicants may serve as the lead agency of a local consortium that 
includes stakeholders from the transportation, healthcare, human 
services, or other sectors, including private and nonprofit entities 
engaged in the coordination of nonemergency medical transportation 
services for people who are transportation disadvantaged. Members of 
this consortium are eligible as subrecipients. The applicant must also 
demonstrate that the proposed project was planned through an inclusive 
process with the involvement of the transportation, healthcare, and 
human services industries. Applicants must submit an implementation 
plan and schedule as part of the proposal.
ii. Cost Sharing or Matching
    The maximum Federal share of project costs under the ICAM Pilot 
Program is 80 percent. The applicant provides a local share of at least 
20 percent of the net project cost and must document the source of the 
local match in the grant application.
    Eligible sources of local match include the following:
     Cash from non-Government sources other than revenues from 
providing public transportation services;
     revenues derived from the sale of advertising and 
concessions;
     amounts received under a service agreement with a State or 
local social service agency or private social service organization;
     revenues generated from value capture financing 
mechanisms;
     funds from an undistributed cash surplus;
     replacement or depreciation cash fund or reserve; or
     new capital.
    In addition, the applicant may use transportation development 
credits or documentation of in-kind match for local match in the 
application.
iii. Eligible Projects
    Under section 3006(b) of the FAST Act eligible projects are capital 
projects, as defined in 49 U.S.C. 5302(3). FTA may make grants to 
assist in financing innovative projects for the transportation 
disadvantaged that improve the coordination of transportation services 
and non-emergency medical transportation services including: The 
deployment of coordination technology; projects that create or increase 
access to community one-call/one-click centers; and other innovative 
projects. The FTA's goal for these pilot demonstration grants is to 
identify and test promising, innovative, coordinated mobility 
strategies for healthcare access solutions that other communities can 
replicate. Only one project may be included in each application.

2. Human Services Coordination Research Program

i. Eligible Applicants
    Eligible applicants for awards are State and local governmental 
entities, providers of public transportation, private or non-profit 
organizations. Proposals may contain projects the recipient or its 
subrecipients will implement. Eligible subrecipients include public 
agencies, private nonprofit organizations, and private providers 
engaged in public transportation.
ii. Cost Sharing or Matching
    For projects funded under the HSCR program, the maximum Federal 
share of capital project costs is 80 percent and the maximum Federal 
share of operating

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project costs is 50 percent. The applicant must document the source(s) 
of the local match in the grant application.
    Eligible local-match sources include the following:
     Cash from non-Government sources other than revenues from 
providing public transportation services;
     revenues derived from the sale of advertising and 
concessions;
     revenues generated from value capture financing 
mechanisms;
     funds from an undistributed cash surplus;
     replacement or depreciation cash fund or reserve;
     new capital; or
     in-kind contributions.
    In addition, the applicant may use transportation development 
credits for local match.
iii. Eligible Projects
    Eligible projects under this program are implementation-ready 
capital and/or operating projects that enhance public transportation 
coordination and access through innovations that:
     Increase systems coordination of transportation services;
     use mobility management and improvements and/or travel 
management systems;
     provide more effective and efficient public transportation 
service, including services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, 
and low-income individuals; or
     implement data and communication system advancements.
    Projects eligible for the HSCR funds will link directly to an 
adopted Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan 
and the implementation strategy for an integrated coordinated 
transportation system. Only one project may be included in each 
application.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application

    Applications must be submitted through GRANTS.GOV. Applicants can 
find general information for submitting applications through GRANTS.GOV 
at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/applying/applying-fta-funding, along with specific instructions for the forms and attachments 
required for submission. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted. 
A complete proposal submission consists of two forms:
     The SF-424 Mandatory Form (downloadable from GRANTS.GOV), 
and
     the appropriate supplemental form for the FY 2018 ICAM 
Pilot Program or the FY 2018 HSCR Program (downloadable from GRANTS.GOV 
or at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/enhanced-mobility-seniors-individuals-disabilities-section-5310).
    Applicants may also attach additional supporting information. 
Failure to submit the information as requested can delay or prevent 
review of the application.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

i. Proposal Submission
    A complete proposals submission consists of at least two forms:
     The SF-424 Mandatory Form, and
     the supplemental form for the FY 2018 ICAM Pilot Program 
or the FY 2018 HSCR Program.
    The application must include responses to all sections of the SF-
424 mandatory form and the supplemental form unless a section is 
indicated as optional. The FTA will use the information on the 
supplemental form to determine applicant and project eligibility for 
the program and to evaluate the proposal against the selection criteria 
described in part E of this notice. The FTA will accept only one 
supplemental form per SF-424 submission. The FTA encourages States and 
other applicants to consider submitting a single supplemental form that 
includes multiple activities to be evaluated as a consolidated 
proposal. If States or other applicants choose to submit separate 
proposals for individual consideration by FTA, they must submit each 
proposal with a separate SF-424 and supplemental form.
    Applicants may attach additional supporting information to the SF-
424 submission, including but not limited to letters of support, 
project budgets, fleet status reports, or excerpts from relevant 
planning documents. Supporting documentation must be described and 
referenced by file name in the appropriate response section of the 
supplemental form, or it may not be reviewed.
    Information such as proposer name, Federal amount requested, local 
match amount, description of areas served, etc., may be requested in 
varying degrees of detail on both the SF-424 form and supplemental 
form. Proposers must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the 
forms. If applicants copy information into the supplemental form from 
another source, they should verify that the supplemental form has fully 
captured pasted text and that it has not truncated the text due to 
character limits built into the form. Proposers should use both the 
``Check Package for Errors'' and the ``Validate Form'' validation 
buttons on both forms to check all required fields on the forms. 
Applicants should also ensure that the Federal and local amounts 
specified are consistent.
ii. Application Content
    The SF-424 Mandatory Form and the supplemental form will prompt 
applicants for the required information, including:
a. Applicant Name
b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number
c. Key contact information (including contact name, address, email 
address, and phone)
d. Congressional district(s) where project will take place
e. Project Information (including title, an executive summary, and 
type)
f. A detailed description of the need for the project
g. A detailed description of how the project will support the ICAM 
Pilot or the HSCR Program objectives
h. Evidence that the project is consistent with local and regional 
planning documents and evidence of a locally developed and adopted 
Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (where 
applicable)
i. Evidence that the applicant can provide the local cost share
j. A description of the technical, legal, and financial capacity of the 
applicant
k. A detailed project budget (up to 18 months or less)
l. An explanation of the scalability of the project
m. Details on the local matching funds
n. A detailed project timeline

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    Each applicant is required to: (1) Be registered in SAM before 
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier 
in its application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM 
registration with current information at all times during which the 
applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by FTA. These requirements do not apply if the applicant: 
(1) Is an individual; (2) is excepted from the requirements under 2 CFR 
25.110(b) or (c); or (3) has an exception approved by FTA under 2 CFR 
25.110(d). FTA may not make an award until the applicant has complied 
with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If 
an applicant has not fully complied

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with the requirements by the time FTA is ready to make an award, FTA 
may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award 
and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to 
another applicant. All applicants must provide a unique entity 
identifier provided by SAM. Registration in SAM may take as little as 
3-5 business days, but there can be unexpected steps or delays. For 
example, the applicant may need to obtain an Employer Identification 
Number. FTA recommends allowing ample time, up to several weeks, to 
complete all steps. For additional information on obtaining a unique 
entity identifier, please visit www.sam.gov.
    The FTA will provide further instructions on registration through 
an introductory applicant training session. Dates and times for the 
training session will be posted on FTA's website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/enhanced-mobility-seniors-individuals-disabilities-section-5310.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through 
GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on November 13, 2018. Mail and fax 
submissions will not be accepted.
    FTA urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior 
to the due date to allow time to correct any problems that may have 
caused either GRANTS.GOV or FTA systems to reject the submission. 
Proposals submitted after the deadline will only be considered under 
extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control.
    Deadlines will not be extended due to scheduled website 
maintenance. GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are 
announced on the GRANTS.GOV website.
    Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the 
applicant should receive two email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1) 
Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV; and (2) 
confirmation of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV. If the applicant 
does not receive confirmation of successful validation or receives a 
notice of failed validation or incomplete materials, the applicant must 
address the reason for the failed validation, as described in the email 
notice, and resubmit before the submission deadline. If making a 
resubmission for any reason, applicants must include all original 
attachments regardless of which attachments were updated and check the 
box on the supplemental form indicating this is a resubmission.
    Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of registration on 
the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline. 
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to 
complete before an application can be submitted. Registered applicants 
may still be required to update their registration before submitting an 
application. Registration in SAM is renewed annually and persons making 
submissions on behalf of the Authorized Organization Representative 
(AOR) must be authorized in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make submissions.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Funds under the ICAM Pilot Program may be used for capital 
expenditures only. Funds under the HSCR Program may be used for 
operating or capital expenditures that are tied to the locally 
developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation 
Plan.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    The FTA encourages applicants to identify scaled funding options in 
case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full 
requested amount. If an applicant indicates that a project is scalable, 
the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that 
will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the 
program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must 
provide a clear explanation of how a reduced reward would affect the 
project budget. The FTA may award a lesser amount whether the applicant 
provides a scalable option.

E. Application Review Information

1. Project Evaluation Criteria

i. Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program
    Each application submitted for the ICAM Pilot Program must include: 
(1) A detailed description of the project; (2) an identification of all 
project partners (if any) and their specific role in the eligible 
project; (3) specific performance measures the project will use to 
quantify actual outcomes against expected outcomes; and (4) a 
description of how the project will:
     Improve local coordination or access to coordinated 
transportation services;
     reduce duplication of service, if applicable; and
     provide innovative solutions in the State or community.
    The FTA will evaluate proposals submitted according to the 
following criteria: (a) Demonstration of need; (b) demonstration of 
benefits; (c) planning and partnerships; (d) local financial 
commitment; (e) project readiness; and (f) technical, legal, and 
financial capacity. Each applicant is encouraged to demonstrate the 
responsiveness of a project to all criteria with the most relevant 
information that the applicant can provide, regardless of whether such 
information has been specifically requested or identified in this 
notice.
a. Demonstration of Need
    The FTA will evaluate proposals based on how the proposed project 
will address the need or challenges to improving coordination of 
transportation services and non-emergency medical transportation 
services. The FTA will consider both the scope of the overall need or 
challenge, and the size of the specific segment of the population 
served by the proposed project.
b. Demonstration of Benefits
    The FTA will evaluate proposals on the benefits provided by the 
proposed project. Benefits will be tied to the ICAM program's goals of 
increased access to care, improved health outcomes, and reduced 
healthcare costs. Benefits identified in the proposals will be 
evaluated at both the individual level, and that of the local health 
and transportation providers. Proposals will be judged on the extent to 
which the proposed project demonstrates a benefit to the transportation 
need or challenge to mobility and healthcare access demonstrated above. 
Projects will be evaluated on the ability of the proposed project to 
yield data demonstrating impacts on the goals of FTA's ICAM Program: To 
increase access to care; improve health outcomes; and reduce healthcare 
costs. Proposals must show that the applicant will be able to provide 
impact data during and after the pilot project. FTA will conduct an 
independent evaluation of the demonstration grant. At various points in 
the deployment process and at the end of the pilot project, the 
recipient will be asked by FTA, or its designee, to provide performance 
measures required to conduct this evaluation. FTA requires each 
applicant to submit the performance data on a quarterly basis. This 
data will be used by FTA to produce the required Annual Report to 
Congress that contains detailed description of the activities carried 
out under the pilot program, and an evaluation of the program, 
including an

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evaluation of the performance measures described.
c. Planning and Partnerships
    Applicants must describe the eligible project and outline project 
partners and their specific role in the project--including private and 
nonprofit entities involved in the coordination of nonemergency medical 
transportation services for the transportation disadvantaged. 
Applicants must include a description of how the eligible project 
would: (1) Improve local coordination or access to coordinated 
transportation service; (2) reduce duplication of service, if 
applicable; and (3) provide innovative solutions in the State and/or 
community. Applicants should provide evidence of strong commitment from 
key partners, including letters of support from relevant local 
stakeholders. An eligible recipient may submit an application in 
partnership with other entities that intend to participate in the 
implementation of the project. Any changes to the proposed partnerships 
will require FTA's advance approval and must be consistent with the 
scope of the approved project.
d. Local Financial Commitment
    Applicants must identify the source of the local share and describe 
whether such funds are currently available for the project or will need 
to be secured if the project is selected for funding. The FTA will 
consider the availability of the local share as evidence of local 
financial commitment to the project. In addition, an applicant may 
propose a local share that is greater than the minimum requirement or 
provide documentation of previous local investment in the project as 
evidence of local financial commitment.
e. Project Readiness
    The FTA will evaluate the project on the proposed schedule and the 
applicant's ability to implement it. Applicants should indicate the 
short-term, mid-range, and long-term goals for the project. Applicants 
also must describe how the project will help the transportation 
disadvantaged and improve the coordination of transportation services 
and non-emergency medical transportation services, such as the 
deployment of coordination technology, projects that create or increase 
access to community One-Call/One-Click Centers, mobility management, 
etc. Proposals must provide specific performance measures the eligible 
project will use to quantify actual outcomes against expected outcomes. 
The FTA will evaluate the project on the extent to which it was 
developed inclusively, incorporating meaningful involvement from key 
stakeholders including consumer representatives of the target groups 
and providers from the healthcare, transportation, and human services 
sectors, among others. The applicant must show significant, ongoing 
involvement of the project's target population.
f. Technical, Legal and Financial Capacity
    The FTA will evaluate proposals on the capacity of the lead agency 
and any partners to successfully execute the pilot effort. The 
applicant should have no outstanding legal, technical, or financial 
issues that would make this a high-risk project. The FTA will evaluate 
each proposal (including the business plan, financial projections, and 
other relevant data) for feasibility and longer-term sustainability of 
both the pilot project as well as the proposed project at full 
deployment. It is FTA's intent to select projects with a high 
likelihood of long-term success and sustainability.
ii. Human Services Coordination Research Program
    Each application for the HSCR Program must include a statement of 
purpose detailing: (1) The need being addressed; (2) the short- and 
long-term goals of the project, including opportunities for future 
innovation and development and benefits to riders of public 
transportation; (3) how the project will improve public transportation 
service for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income 
individuals; and (4) the short- and long-term funding requirements to 
complete the project and any future objectives of the project.
    FTA will evaluate proposals submitted according to the following 
criteria: (a) Demonstration of need; (b) demonstration of benefits; (c) 
coordination, planning and partnerships; (d) local financial 
commitment; (e) project readiness; and (f) technical, legal and 
financial capacity. The FTA encourages each applicant to demonstrate 
how a project supports all criteria with the most relevant information 
the applicant can provide, regardless of whether such information has 
been specifically requested or identified in this notice.
a. Demonstration of Need
    The FTA will evaluate proposals based on how the proposed project 
will address the need for or challenges to improving coordination of 
transportation services as outlined in the implementation strategy of a 
locally developed, Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services 
Transportation Plan. The FTA will consider both the scope of the 
overall need or challenge, and the size of the specific segment of the 
population served by the proposed project.
b. Demonstration of Benefits
    The FTA will evaluate proposals on the benefits provided by the 
proposed project. The FTA will judge proposals based on how much the 
proposed project will benefit the implementation of the coordination 
activity and enhance transportation services for the targeted 
population. The HSCR Program provides an opportunity for communities to 
put into practice new and innovative ideas, practices, and approaches 
that address the overall coordination goals of the CCAM at the local 
level. The FTA will evaluate how the project supports the following 
goals:
    1. Implementing new and innovative strategies to increase human 
services transportation through interagency cooperation;
    2. improving access to cost-effective transportation services; and
    3. encouraging enhanced access to transportation resources.
    Proposals must show that the applicant will be able to provide 
impact data during and at the conclusion of the project. FTA will 
conduct an independent evaluation of the demonstration grant. At 
various points in the deployment process and at the end of the pilot 
project, the recipient will be asked by FTA, or its designee, to 
provide performance measures required to conduct this evaluation. FTA 
requires each applicant to submit the performance data on a quarterly 
basis. This data will be used by FTA to produce the required Annual 
Report to Congress that contains detailed description of the activities 
carried out under the program, and an evaluation of the program, 
including an evaluation of the performance measures described.
c. Demonstration of Coordination, Planning, and Partnerships
    Applicants must describe the eligible project and outline project 
partners and their specific role in the project. This includes private 
and nonprofit entities involved in the coordination of human services 
transportation services for the transportation disadvantaged. 
Applicants should describe how the eligible project would provide more 
effective and efficient public transportation service for:
    1. Seniors;
    2. individuals with disabilities; and
    3. low-income individuals.

[[Page 46539]]

    Applicants must provide evidence of strong commitment from key 
partners, including letters of support from participating human 
services agencies and all other relevant local stakeholders. An 
eligible recipient may submit an application in partnership with other 
entities that intend to participate in the implementation of the 
project. Any changes to the proposed partnerships will require FTA's 
advance approval and must be consistent with the scope of the approved 
project.
d. Demonstration of Coordination, Planning, and Partnerships
    Applicants must identify the source of the local share and describe 
whether such funds are currently available for the project or will need 
to be secured if the project is selected for funding. The FTA will 
consider the availability of the local share as evidence of local 
financial commitment to the project. In addition, an applicant may 
propose a local share that is greater than the minimum requirement or 
provide documentation of previous local investment in the project as 
evidence of local financial commitment.
e. Project Readiness
    The FTA will evaluate the proposed schedule and the applicant's 
ability to implement it. Applicants should indicate the short-term, 
mid-range, and long-term goals for the project. Applicants should also 
describe how the project will help the targeted populations and improve 
the overall coordination of transportation services such as non-
emergency medical transportation services. This includes the deployment 
of coordination technology, capital and operating efficiencies, 
mobility management, etc. Proposals should provide specific performance 
measures that the applicant will use to quantify actual outcomes 
against expected outcomes. The FTA will evaluate the project proposal 
based on how much the project is directly tied to a locally developed 
Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan. The 
applicant must show significant, ongoing involvement of the project's 
target population.
f. Technical, Legal and Financial Capacity
    The FTA will evaluate the capacity of the lead agency and any 
partners to successfully execute the research effort. There should be 
no outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the applicant 
that would make this a high-risk project. The FTA will evaluate each 
proposal (including the business plan, financial projections, and other 
relevant data) for feasibility and longer-term sustainability. It is 
FTA's intent to select projects with a high likelihood of long-term 
success, sustainability, and ability to be replicated in other 
communities.

2. Review and Selection Process

    In addition to other FTA staff that may review the proposals, a 
technical evaluation committee will evaluate proposals based on the 
published evaluation criteria. After applying the above preferences, 
the FTA Administrator will consider the following key U.S. Department 
of Transportation objectives:
     Supporting economic vitality at the national and regional 
level;
     Utilizing alternative funding sources and innovative 
financing models to attract non-Federal sources of infrastructure 
investment;
     Accounting for the life-cycle costs of the project to 
promote the state of good repair;
     Using innovative approaches to improve safety and expedite 
project delivery; and
     Holding grant recipients accountable for their performance 
and achieving specific, measurable outcomes identified by grant 
applicants.
    Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider 
any information about the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee 
Performance and Integrity Information Systems (FAPIIS) accessible 
through SAM. An applicant may review and comment on information about 
itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. The FTA will 
consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other 
information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant's 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as 
described in 2 CFR 200.205, Federal Awarding Agency Review of Risk 
Posed by Applicants. FTA may consider geographic diversity, and/or the 
applicant's receipt of other discretionary awards in determining the 
allocation of program funds.

F. Federal Award Administration

1. Federal Award Notices

    The FTA Administrator will announce the final project selections on 
the FTA website. Project recipients should contact their FTA Regional 
Office for additional information regarding allocations for projects 
under each program.
    At the time project selections are announced, FTA will extend pre-
award authority for the selected projects. There is no blanket pre-
award authority for these projects before announcement.

2. Award Administration

    There is no minimum or maximum grant award amount; however, FTA 
intends to fund as many meritorious projects as possible. The FTA will 
only consider proposals from eligible recipients for eligible 
activities. Due to funding limitations, projects selected for funding 
may receive less than the amount originally requested. In those cases, 
applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed projects are 
still viable and can be completed with the amount awarded.

3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. Pre-Award Authority
    The FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-
award authority at the time of selection. The FTA does not provide pre-
award authority for competitive funds until projects are selected, and 
there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs are 
incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award 
authority, please see the FY 2018 Apportionments Notice published on 
July 16, 2018, at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-07-16/pdf/2018-14989.pdf.
ii. Grant Requirements
    Selected applicants will submit a grant application through FTA's 
electronic grant management system and adhere to the customary FTA 
grant requirements. All competitive grants, regardless of award amount, 
will be subject to the congressional notification and release process. 
The FTA emphasizes that third-party procurement applies to all funding 
awards, as described in FTA Circular 4220.1F, ``Third Party Contracting 
Guidance.'' However, FTA may approve applications that include a 
specifically identified partnering organization(s) (2 CFR 200.302(f)). 
When included, the application, budget, and budget narrative should 
provide a clear understanding of how the selection of these 
organizations is critical for the project and give sufficient detail 
about the costs involved.
iii. Planning
    The FTA encourages applicants to engage the appropriate State 
Departments of Transportation, Regional Transportation Planning 
Organizations, or Metropolitan Planning Organizations in areas to be 
served by the project funds available under these programs.

[[Page 46540]]

Additionally, project proposals should be directly tied to the locally 
developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation 
Plan.
iv. Standard Assurances
    The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable 
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, FTA circulars, and 
other Federal administrative requirements in carrying out any project 
supported by the FTA grant. The applicant acknowledges that it is under 
a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The applicant 
understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and 
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may 
affect the implementation of the project. The applicant agrees that the 
most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project unless FTA 
issues a written determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the 
Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not 
have current certifications on file.
v. Reporting
    Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal 
Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in FTA's electronic 
grants management system. An independent evaluation of the pilot 
program or research grant may occur at various points in the deployment 
process and at the end of the pilot project. In addition, FTA is 
responsible for producing an Annual Report to Congress that compiles 
evaluations of selected projects, including an evaluation of the 
performance measures identified by the applicants. All applicants must 
develop an evaluation plan to measure the success or failure of their 
projects and to describe any plans for broad-based implementation of 
successful projects. The FTA may request data and reports to support 
the independent evaluation and annual report.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

    For questions about applying for each of the programs outlined in 
this notice, please contact the Program Manager, Kelly Tyler, at 
Federal Transit Administration, phone: (202) 366-3102, fax: (202) 366-
3475, or email, [email protected]. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-
8339 (TDDFIRS). Additionally, you may visit FTA's website for this 
program at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/enhanced-mobility-seniors-individuals-disabilities-section-5310. To ensure that 
applicants receive accurate information about eligibility or the 
program, applicants are encouraged to contact FTA directly with 
questions, rather than through intermediaries or third parties. FTA 
staff may also conduct briefings on the FY 2018 competitive grants 
selection and award process upon request.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
K. Jane Williams,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-19897 Filed 9-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P